Austin Symphonic Band. January 28, 2024 concert at the Connally HS Performing Arts Center in Austin, TX. ASB performing Who’s Who in Navy Blue by John Philip Sousa. [NOTE: Click 'more' to read the program notes.] Music Director Dr. Kyle R. Glaser conducting. "Sea Songs" Concert.

Video and Sound Production: Eddie Jennings

From the program notes written by David Cross:
Who’s Who in Navy Blue (1920)
John Philip Sousa (1854–1932)

Program note by Paul Bierley:
It is not often that a composer dedicates music to a wooden American Indian. Sousa did just that by dedicating this march to Tecumseh, whose stern figurehead adorns Bancroft Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.

Until a cache of old letters was recently discovered among Sousa family holdings in 1975, there was no proof of a request for this march coming from the student body of the U.S. Naval Academy. From the letters it was learned that a request had been made by Midshipman W. A. Ingram, president of the class of 1920. At that time, it was customary for each class to have its own new song or march to be performed at graduation exercises.

The manner of choosing a title for the march bordered on the comical. Midshipman T. R. Wirth suggested “Ex Scienta Tridens” (“From Science to Sea Power”). Sousa’s response to this was that it sounded like a remedy for the flu or a breakfast cereal. He suggested an alternate, “Admirals By and By.” Wirth stood firm with his proposal and pointed out that one of Sousa’s most famous marches was “Semper Fidelis,” also taken from the Latin.

At this point, Sousa apparently was inclined to withdraw his offer to compose the march, but Wirth pleaded with him not to take this course of action. Wirth tried to compromise on a title, offering such names as “Gentlemen Sailors,” “Seafarers,” and “Admirals All.” Sousa did some compromising of his own, and “Who’s Who in Navy Blue” became the title.

If you’d like to sing along with the trio medley, Sousa provided the following lyrics:
The moon is shining on the rippling waves.
The stars are twinkling in the evening sky.
And in our dreams Tecumseh softly tells us
We’ll be Admirals by and by.

In recognition of Sousa’s contribution to the Navy during World War I—and presumably in appreciation for this composition—he was presented a miniature class ring and made an honorary member of the graduating class of 1921.

Listen for:
• Written 14 years after Anchors Aweigh, in this piece Sousa takes Zimmermann’s
melodies, full of upbeats, one step further and provides a hint of syncopation.
• Beautiful counter lines in the euphonium and mid-range reeds.

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